Starting a new life in Vietnam can be exciting and daunting at the same time. It is no doubt that foreign teachers will face culture shock when they first come to Vietnam. They have to learn how to adapt to the excessive amount of noise and traffic jams in a modern city like Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi. In order to give you a fine preparation for your journey to Vietnam, this article will provide you with some basic tips that you can hit the ground running. In no time, you will soon become like a local.

1. Getting transportation

Three main transportations in Vietnam are motorbikes, cars, and buses. Motorbike is the most common transportation and you do not need to be worried if you do not know how to ride a motorbike. Ride-share is common in Vietnam and there is a variety for you to choose from: Grab Bike, Be, Go Viet, etc. All you need to do is download the app, enter your destination and the driver will pick you up within five minutes. A bus is also a good option if you want to experience like the local. However, you should keep in mind that buses are really slow and crowed despite its cheap price. If you want more luxurious transportation, you can use a car or taxi. Nevertheless, this is not highly recommended as the price is usually high and they can be inconvenient when there is a traffic jam.

2. Eating like a local

Coming to Vietnam, you will have the opportunity to try different cuisines not only from Vietnam but also from other countries. If you are not used to the local food yet, there are Western cuisines for you but they come with inflated Western prices. Thus, your alternative can be Vietnamese food. Vietnamese food is diverse with different types of flavors and they are healthy and cheap as well. Vietnamese food may be intimidating at first due to its smell or appearance but once you try it, you will absolutely fall in love with the food. Also, do you not be scared to try out street food. Street food is what makes Vietnamese cuisine stands out compared to other international cuisines. The more you try Vietnamese food, especially street food, the more you are closer to a local. It is obvious that you will face challenges at first in ordering and the next tip will help you solve that problem.

3. Talking the Talk

Learning basic conversations in Vietnamese will help your life in Vietnam become easier. If you know Vietnamese, you will have a chance to learn more about the Vietnamese cultures and traditions that you may not know before. Learning Vietnamese can also get you more local friends, who will be ready to help you if there are any problems. Overall, knowing basic Vietnamese will make your life in Vietnam more convenient and it also gives you better experiences.

4. Finding your accommodation

Finding accommodation can be tricky as there are a variety of options. If you want to choose the cheapest option, sharing a house with a roommate is obviously the best option. Typically, you will have a bedroom and a private bathroom with shared kitchen and living areas. This can be a great way to save money and make new friends. The cost of a shared apartment should be around 200-350 dollars. Another option is getting your own apartment. This is suitable for those who want to have their own space; however, it will cost you a bit more-350 to 1000 and depending on your living standards. If you have a roommate, a third option is to find really nice 2 BR apartments for $500-800 that often include a gym and pool. Split in half, these are pretty reasonable for a teacher’s salary and nicer than what you’ll find when living alone. All these options will typically include furniture, wifi, cleaning service, and sometimes laundry and drinking water.

5. Getting a Job!

Finding a teaching job in Vietnam is as easy as finding a “bánh mì”. Finding a good one, however, will take a bit of research and knowledge. The most common teaching jobs are found in language centers. The big chains (ILA, Apollo, EIV, VUS) will offer clean, air-conditioned classrooms, usually with an interactive smart TV and all the supplies you could want. You’ll typically work 18-22 hours a week, with super busy weekends. These are great for teachers just starting out, as you’ll have lots of support from management. Next come public schools. You’ll be teaching very large classes and expected to come prepared with your own materials. Support will be minimal if there’s any at all. On the plus side, pay is generally a bit higher and you won’t be working nights and weekends.

If you are a foreign teacher looking for a job in Vietnam, you can visit the website: https://vietnamteachingjobs.com/ to apply for positions with high salaries and all social benefits. At VTJ, we specialize in providing quality native teachers to international centers / schools with state-of-the-art equipment across the country. Please do not hesitate, choose Vietnamteachingjobs!

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They’re a great option for more experienced teachers. Third, for those with a teaching certificate from their home country, international schools offer the best of both worlds. Ample resources, lots of support, and opportunity for professional development. Pay will be significantly higher than training centers, but you’ll be expected to be at school 40 hours a week, whereas you can leave after class at training centers.

So whether your plane has just touched down or you’re a seasoned vet, I hope these easy life hacks will help you to live your best life in Vietnam.

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